Sara Barnes swims in cold water all year, loving the challenge and peace it brings. At 63, each swim reminds her of her strength. In 2025, she nearly lost her life twice, and those experiences made her stronger and more determined to live not just survive. She’s written two books, The Cold Fix and The Winter of Our Lives, and made two films, all inspired by these words: “Older Bolder Colder.” It is a mantra that helps her stay brave, resilient, and open to what life has to offer.
Older Bolder Colder is more than an author talk – it’s an invitation to celebrate quiet strength and courage. It’s for anyone who finds power in gentle persistence and in facing new challenges, no matter their age. Each cold swim, wet and windy walk, or punishing hill climb is proof that we can grow stronger and bolder, even as we grow older.
Sara describes what it means to her, how it has shaped her life and why she believes adapting our outdoor adventures to meet our changing needs does not mean doing less, just doing things differently to attain maximum joy and minimum damage to ourselves and the landscapes around us.